Brothers of successful wrestlers, Penn-Trafford’s Coy, Chishko have hopes of own golden moment

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 | 8:57 PM

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It can tough being the sibling of a successful wrestler.

Just ask Shaler's Taylor Letters, who followed his older brother Troy, a two-time PIAA champion, but never won a state title.

These days Penn-Trafford's Nick Coy and Job Chishko are in the same boat, following in their brothers' footsteps — 2017 Penn-Trafford graduate Cam Coy, a three-time state champion, and 2014 Canon-McMillan grad Solomon Chishko, a two-time winner.

While the younger Coy and the younger Chishko have found some success, they never have stood atop of the podium at the WPIAL or PIAA Class AAA championships.

They hope that changes this season, starting Friday at the WPIAL Class AAA championships/Southwest Regional at Canon-McMillan.

Chishko is seeded No. 1 at 145 pounds, and Coy is seeded No. 3 at 132.

Each finished third in the WPIAL a year ago; Chishko was runner-up at 106 in 2015 and '16.

“I put pressure on myself knowing what my brother has done,” said Job Chishko, who finished seventh in the state at 106 pounds in 2016. “I know I shouldn't, but I use it as motivation.”

Chishko (33-2) defeated Kiski Area junior Cam Connor in the Section 1-AAA final to earn the top seed. Connor is seeded No. 2, followed by Moon senior Nick Acuna and Mars senior Alex Hornfeck.

“I can't worry about the state tournament; I have to worry about this weekend,” Chishko said. “I have to continue to work hard.”

Coy admits there is pressure to perform to the level his brother did.

“There is a little pressure involved, especially when Cam Coy is your brother, one of Pennsylvania's best wrestlers ever,” said Nick Coy, who finished second to Franklin Regional's Colton Camacho at the Section 1 tournament Saturday. “I'll try to forget about all that when it comes to competition time and be myself. I just want to go out and have fun.”

Coy is 2-4 the past two seasons at the state tournament. This year's goal is to get on the podium.

“There are a lot of good kids in the weight class,” Coy said of the 132-pound competition. “It's never a cakewalk in the WPIAL. You have to be ready for every match.

“Out east there will be a lot of good kids, too. I'm not looking ahead; I'm focused on this tournament.”

Penn-Trafford coach Rich Ginther said both wrestlers are following brothers who were extremely successful.

“They get in the mindset that they have to fill their shoes and reach the same success,” Ginther said. “The ultimate goal for both guys is to reach the top of the podium.

“It's going to be tough. Nick is in the same weight class as Colton Camacho, and (Nazareth's) Sammy Sass dropped to 145. Both still have opportunities to reach their goals.”

Ginther said both are hard workers, and he expects them to do well.

“They know what it takes to get to that level.” Ginther said. “Both are on the verge of greatness.

“The biggest thing is they must have the right mindset when they wrestle. They have to be confident that they can beat anyone on any given day. They are definitely capable of that. Getting high on the podium would mean a successful season for both guys.”

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff wrestler. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Penn-Trafford